European officials portray assistance as effort to fill rebels’ military gap PARIS (AP) ― Europe has moved closer to doing what it said it wouldn’t do in Libya ― directly jump into the bid to overthrow leader Moammar Gadhafi. France said Wednesday it has already sent military officers to work with Libyan rebels on the ground, in addition to stepping up airstrikes. Italy and Britain have said th...

A 10-year-old boy in Liaoning province pretended to be his own parent in order to chat online with his teachers and the parents of his classmates. He kept up the ruse for nearly a year before his cover was blown. Registering as "Lulu's parent", the boy communicated with other parents and teachers in a group talking room on the instant messaging service set up by his teacher in a primary school ...

NEW YORK (AP) ― Republican Tim Pawlenty disclosed his 2012 presidential aspirations on Facebook. Rival Mitt Romney did it with a tweet. President Barack Obama kicked off his re-election bid with a digital video emailed to the 13 million online backers who helped power his historic campaign in 2008. Welcome to The Social Network, presidential campaign edition. The candidates and contenders have ...

Polls show widespread dissatisfaction with how P.M.’s cabinet dealt with disaster TOKYO (AP) ― A blueprint for ending radiation leaks and stabilizing reactors at Japan’s crippled nuclear plant drew a lackluster response Monday, as polls showed diminishing public support for the government’s handling of the country’s recent disasters. The plan issued by Tokyo Electric Power Co. over the weekend,...

LONDON (AP) _ Commemorative London travel cards bearing the image of Prince William and Kate Middleton are going on sale this week. The 750,000 cards are the first limited edition version of the Oyster Card, which is used for electronic payment across London's bus and subway network. They feature a photo of the prince and Middleton and read: ``To commemorate the marriage of Prince William of Wa...